Are Tanning Beds Safe to Use While Pregnant?

Tanning beds are one of the most popular ways to acquire a tan. Over the years, people have been led to believe that tanning beds are safer than natural sunlight; however, that is just not the case. Tanning bed exposure is just a dangerous as sunlight when it comes to the risk of skin cancers. Tanning beds are not recommended during pregnancy.

UV Exposure

• Pregnant women who use tanning beds are exposed to UV radiation. Ultraviolet radiation has been proven to cause cancer.

Melanoma

• Tanning beds have been determined to cause melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma can spread to the placenta and potentially harm an unborn baby.

Overheating

• Tanning beds can cause a pregnant woman's body to overheat. Overheating during pregnancy can lead to malformations of the spine in unborn babies.

Chloasma

• Pregnant women may notice an increase in chloasma, the dark skin spots that often occur on the face and arms during pregnancy.

Safer Alternatives

• Pregnant women can safely use sunless tanning lotions to simulate a tan.